Argies vs Lions

Should be fun.

Argies dominant early on. 5m out and attacking. Penalty, 3-0.

Duhan busting Cinti's tackle and getting the Lions rumbling. They come up short though.

Try Lions now as Cowan-Dickie gets over. No idea how that was awarded, he clearly lost it. They're checking now. No try.

Curry gets a good turnover. Lions looking enterprising.

Penalty by Fin, 3-3

Beautiful try Argentina. Mendy finishes after they exposed the Lions out wide. 8-3 Argies.

Aki over for the Lions' first try. Some good hot potato handling. 10-8 Lions

Argentina avoids a yellow for a split second head clash. Great refereeing not to give a card.

Penalty Argies, 11-10.

Lions blow a scoring chance as Sione drops Freeman's offload.

Oviedo causing some problems for the Lions but Morgan ends it with a good turnover.

And another break in play to review something. Cleanout with a lazy arm but not much in it and no action. I like this ref.

Argies now intercept an offload that would have seen Smith into big space had it found him. Net result they have a lineout on the Lions 22.

Smith forced to carry over, 5m scrum Argies. Nice to see some sharp backplay after the last few weeks of pretty dull playoff rugby.

Argies attack, Lions defense holds but Argies have a penalty 5 out. They'll go for the 3 from right in front. Somewhat strange in the modern rugby climate but an assured 3 points just before half time I guess. 14-10

Argies try to run out the clock but the Lions turn it over and attack, then loses it and now the Argies run it in from their own 22. What a passage.

Half time, 21-10 Argies.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/19/duhan-van-der-merwe-interview-lions-argentina-rugby-union

Man, watching Argentina use depth and layers in their attack to create space just underlines how far behind the curve our URC coaches with their flat bashing and just pass it to the next guy tactics are.

Lions get a penalty try and Argentina yellow, 17-21.

Boy wonder Pollock coming on.

Terrific run by Genge gets the Lions the go forward and they score through Beirne. 24-21

Argentina struggling for possession. Back to 15 against 15 now.

Albornoz with the kick fake and break sets up a spectacular Argie try. Handed off young Pollock in the process. Twice now the Argies have gone from their own 22. Still needed cool heads to execute but they did. Score 28-24 Argies.

Could be another HIA for Argies on the guy who replaced the previous HIA.

Lots of rugby being played but errors in execution for both sides.

Lions dominating territory and possession but not the scoreboard.

Lions now with a lineout 5, just 5 minutes left.

Argies clear as Beirne is penalized.

They might want to kick less and hold on to their possession.

Nope, they kick and lose the ball, Lions can attack one last time.

Penalty Lions, probably going to the corner. Argentina might come to regret that stupid little box kick after they had just lost possession with the previous one too.

At the moment though they're forcing the Lions backwards.

Don't cry for me, British Lions ... bravo Los Pumas!

And they get the ball and kick it out. 28-24 win for Argentina. Didn't have the possession or the territory but the breakout scores helped them get there. Lions not accurate enough in execution with all their advantage.

Only one card for a collapsed maul, none between two head clashes and a reviewed cleanout. Good stuff by the officials.

Enjoyed the match...Pollock reminds of a young Schulk...very busy...hoping he does well, looks like a nice lad.

23MIN

Thanks for those highlights Blob….a terrific game by the Bargies. If they had a front row that could hold in the scrums they would be challenging for number one.